Home

Angraecum magdalenae Schltr. & H.Perrier, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 354 (1925).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Rudolfangraecum magdalenae (Schltr. & H.Perrier) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 22 (2013).
Description:
Plants acaulis, foliar sheaths traversely rugose; leaves 6-8, distichous, oblong-lingulate (I3-l6 cm. x 25-35 mm.), unequaly bilobed-obtuse apically, contracted-pleated above the sheath, fleshy-coriaccous and finely traversely striolate on both faces. Inflorescences below the leaves, 1-2 flowered, much shorter than the leaves, peduncle thick. 2-3 cm. long, bearing a sheath similar to the bract near the base; bracts open, rounded apically, yellowish, very thick, rigid, striate lengthwise and l0-l5 mm. tall. a seventh to a tenth the length of the pedicel, flowers pure white, very fleshy, large (divisions 4-5 cm long) Sepals lanceolate, much wider (18 mm.) toward the basal third, attenuate above to the apex in a thick, obtuse point, the laterals curved sickle-shaped, slightly keeled dorsally, slightly enlarged on their lower margin and shortly joined between their bases and front edges. Petals oval, wider and slightly shorter. Labellum concave, slightly contracted basally and embracing, then widely (4 cm.) suborbicular obovate and shortly acuminate in front, the acumin pleated-keeled; with a single projecting keel in the lower half of the base; veins visible; spur oriface wide, then attenuate-filiform to the obtuse apex, margins horizontal and retrose, then curved in front and pendent to the tip, to a total length of 10-ll cm. Column wider (5-6 mm.) than tall; auricles square; rostellum with a small median notch. Anther depressed; pollina obpiriform, yellow, 2 mm. wide, joined in their lower third by a common retinacle, 4 mm. long, 2 mm. wide, with an irregular and viscous base, then attenuate toward the divided apex, above the pollina, in 2 diverging lobes. Ovary longly (6- 7 cm.) pedicellate, the pedicel straight and thick, the ovary recurved, 6 sectioned and 2.5-3 cm. long.
Habitat:
Plants were originally found on Mt. Ibity to the south of Antsirabe, but now they are known to be rather common through most of the primary mountain range along the east coast. Plants grow at 5600-6550 ft. (1700-2000 m) as large colonies on huge, flat boulders in pockets filled with several inches of rich humus and leaf litter. The roots are often partially exposed. Hillerman and Holst (1986) reported that in the habitat, "The plants are partly shaded by small trees, but even so are exposed to very bright light. The night chill at that altitude is tempered by the residual warmth of the boulders. The environment in which it grows experiences a distinct 5-month-long dry season during the Madagascan winter (May-September), when it receives almost full sun, early morning dew or mist, and occasionally even light frost."
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum magdalenae Schltr. & H.Perrier,
Notes:
If Angraecum sesquipedale is the "King of the Angraecums," then Angraecum magdalenae is certainly the "Queen." This is unquestionably one of the finest species of the genus. The total height and width of an old adult is about 30 x 40 cm (12 x 16inches), and a plant of that size is easily accommodated in a 6-inch pot and takes no more space than a small cattleya. It carries 2 or 3 flowers on a short inflorescence. The flowers are full and round, of superior form, with graceful, recurved sepals and petals and a curving spur. A plant in flower produces a very spicy, enticing scent, especially in the evening hours, when the fragrance permeates the whole area. The flowers are quite long-lasting—up to 4 to 5 weeks—and flowers on the basal keikis usually open after the main plant has finished, extending the flowering period to 2 months. In the northern hemisphere Angraecum magdalenae may bloom as early as March although most bloom in mid summer; some will bloom as late as October, and occasionally a "happy" plant will flower in spring and fall.
Distribution:
Madagascar. Endemic.
References:
Bechtel, H., P. Cribb, and E. Launert. 1980. Manual of cultivated orchid species. MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass. Hamilton, R. 1988. When does it flower? 2nd ed. Robert M. Hamilton, 9211 Beckwith Road, Richmond, B.C., Canada V6X 1V7. Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore. Pridgeon, A. ed. 1992. The illustrated encyclopedia of orchids. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Photos/drawings:
Bechtel, H., P. Cribb, and E. Launert. 1980. Manual of cultivated orchid species. MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass. (Photo) Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore. (Photo and Drawing) Pridgeon, A. ed. 1992. The illustrated encyclopedia of orchids. Timber Press, Portland, OR. (Photo); WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 24.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
Click on each image to see a larger version.

In culture	In culture	In culture
Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.

Habitat/ In situ	Habitat/ In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ
Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.